How to Jump a Water Jump on a Horse

Horses by nature are wary of uncertain footing, which includes water. In competition, you may encounter a stadium liverpool, which is a plastic pool positioned under a vertical or oxer jump; on the cross-country course, you may be faced with a drop from a ledge into a shallow man-made pool. Keeping your horse forward and calm is vital to a successful water jump. Your equitation aids your horse in its efforts and boosts its confidence.

Instructions

  1. Stadium Jumping Liverpool

    • 1

      Determine the number of strides to the liverpool jump. The number may be based on your trainer's direction, the performance of other jumpers, or your own knowledge of your horse's stride length.

    • 2

      Keep the canter momentum steady to the jump. Keep the horse's attention on moving forward, and not on the pool in front of him.

    • 3

      Press forward using natural aids (leg, seat) or artificial aids (spur, crop) if you appear to lack momentum to the proper distance. Employ a half-halt if your horse's strides are too long or too fast for the distance.

    • 4

      Take the two-point position approaching the liverpool. Aim for the middle of the jump if you are cantering forward on the landing, or approach at a slight angle if you are turning immediately after the jump.

    • 5

      Choose the crest release or the automatic release, depending on the height of the jump and your level of experience. As the horse begins to clear the liverpool, focus on your next jump.

    Cross-country Water Jump with a Drop

    • 6

      Approach the water jump at a controlled canter; do not let the horse race or bolt.

    • 7

      Stay slightly behind the motion. Lean back and hold your lower leg at the girth with your heel well down.

    • 8

      Lengthen the rein to let the horse move its head into a comfortable downward-jump position. Widen your hands a few inches to catch the horse if it starts to drift to one side or the other.

    • 9

      Sit well back as the horse's front end drops into the water, putting your leg just in front the girth for added balance if necessary. Allow ample rein for the horse to maintain its balance.

    • 10

      Begin to restore your normal seat as the hind legs land in the pond. Apply your leg and other aids to maintain a controlled canter through the water.